St Augustine the Less Church, Bristol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Augustine the Less Church |
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Plate etching, showing on the left a ship's masts in Bristol Harbour and on the right, housing leading towards College Green and Bristol Cathedral
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°27′08″N 2°35′56″W / 51.452105°N 2.598940°W |
| Construction started | 13th century |
| Demolished | 1962 |
St Augustine the Less was a historic Church of England building in Bristol, England. It served as a local parish church for many centuries. The church was first mentioned in records around 1240. It was rebuilt in 1480, making it an important part of Bristol's history. Sadly, the church was damaged by fire in 1940 and later taken down in 1962.
The church got its name because it was very close to the larger Abbey of St Augustine. This abbey is now known as Bristol Cathedral. People sometimes called the abbey "St Augustine the Great."
A Church's Journey
After the Second World War, the parish of St Augustine the Less joined with St George's Church, Brandon Hill. This meant they shared their church community. The land where St Augustine the Less once stood remained empty for many years.
Discoveries Under the Ground
In the early 1980s, before a new part of the Royal Hotel was built, archaeologists explored the site. They found many interesting things beneath where the church used to be. Over 100 burial vaults were discovered under the old church floor. These vaults were like underground rooms where people were buried.
Archaeologists also found old coins from different time periods. These discoveries helped historians learn more about the church and the people who lived in Bristol long ago. All the items found were carefully moved to the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery. There, they are kept safe and can be studied by everyone.
Looking Back: Church Records
Records from St Augustine-the-Less church are kept at Bristol Archives. These records are like a historical diary of the church and its community. They include important documents such as:
- Baptism registers: These list people who were baptized at the church.
- Marriage registers: These show who got married there.
- Burial registers: These record people who were buried in the churchyard or vaults.
The archives also hold records about the church leaders, called incumbents, from 1235 to 1938. There are also records from churchwardens, who helped manage the church, and groups like overseers of the poor who helped people in need. These documents give us a glimpse into daily life in Bristol centuries ago.
See also
